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Valle Country Fair returns live in 2021
he celebratory shouts that went up when it was announced that the 2021 Valle Country Fair would be back live and in-person could have rivaled the enthusiasm that burst forth when Noah threw open the doors and let all his passengers off of the ark! Now in its 43rd year, the fun and fellowship enjoyed by the volunteers who put on the Valle Country Fair is almost as meaningful as knowing that their efforts manifest the tagline “Community Supporting Community.” “A community is about people,” said John Heiss, co-chair of the 2021 Valle Country Fair. “This Fair provides a perfect venue for the people of our community to come together, talk, smile, laugh and enjoy the camaraderie of neighbors, friends and visitors with a common goal — supporting those in need within our community. “Even though the Fair was “virtual” in 2020,” Heiss continued, “ the outpouring from the community through do132
PHOTO BY TED MOREE Pumpkin bowling at Valle Country Fair.
nations and online sales made it a success.” Now returning to an in-person event, and in keeping with 43 years of precedent, the Valle Country Fair is held on the third Saturday in October (Saturday,
Oct. 16). The festivities spread out across a large hay field on the grounds of the Valle Crucis Conference Center on NC Highway 194. Admission is free and parking is available in the adjoining field for $10 per car.
No pets are allowed. New for 2021 is the addition of a second entrance into the field. During the morning hours, traffic managers will direct vehicles off of NC 194 and onto the fairgrounds via two dif-
ferent portals, meaning that fairgoers should spend considerably less time in traffic waiting to get into the event. When traffic coming into the Fair slows down around mid- day, the second entrance will revert to
a second exit, allowing cars departing the fairgrounds to get back on the highway quickly and easily. One-hundred-fifty craft exhibitors set up tents along wide lanes that meander back and forth between a picturesque red barn and a field of sorghum. Bales of hay are stacked in the intersections of these walkways to offer fairgoers places to sit while they ponder which craft booths to visit next. Exhibitors submit to a jury process designed to bring together the highest quality handmade crafts available and to assure fairgoers that there is a wide variety of unique products to choose between. As a show of support, exhibitors donate 10% of their earnings back to the charitable work of the Fair. Two stages host entertainment throughout the day. The stage located near the dining tent showcases the best in local bluegrass, country and gospel music. A second stage located near the Kids’ Activity SEE VCF ON PAGE 133
AUTUMN TIMES 2021
